“Until we have that hotel, we would be hard-pressed to grow it,” Lind said about the fairgrounds and the events offered there.

Horse clinics in Hayden indeed have proven popular, and Brannaman's was sold out quickly after registration opened.

For those who aren't able to have a horse in the clinic, it can be “audited” from the arena for $30.

The clinics conclude Monday at the fairgrounds.

As she snapped photos of Sunday's clinic, Lind said in addition to a new hotel, events at the fairgrounds could grow if more stalls were added.

They point to Brannaman's clinic as a leading example of the facility's potential.

“On the (Economic Development Commission), one of our goals this year is to focus on the fairgrounds and use it for the facility that it is, which is a great facility with huge potential,” Delaney said.

Last summer, the 50-year-old bathrooms at the fairgrounds were replaced and upgraded with the help of a $200,000 Great Outdoors Colorado grant and a $100,000 match from the fairgrounds.